Vigmostad



June 7, 1955 T, v|GM0sTAD 2,709,909

DECK LID LOCK Filed Oct. 6. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet v1 IN V EN TOR.

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June 7, 1955 T. vlGMos-rAD 2,709,909

DECK LID Loox Filed Oct. 6, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FEJE.

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DECK LED LOCK Trygve Vigrnostad, Detroit, Mich., assigner to BriggsManufacturing Co., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan ApplicationOctober 6, 1949, Serial No. 119,870

11 Claims. (Cl. 70-142) This invention relates to an improvedself-latching lock of the type which is particularly but not exclusivelyadapted for use in latching an automobile front hood or rear deck lid inthe closed position.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved lock havinga highly eicient and economically manufactured latch mechanismcooperable with a striker Afor automatically interlocking with the sameupon being brought into juxtaposition therewith, as upon closure of thedoor, hood, lid, or other member with which the lock is associated, andwhich is readily operable by a Still another object is to provide a lockof the foregoing character which is particularly suited for latching anautomobile hood or rear deck lid closed and wherein the component movingparts of the latch structure are continually under resilient tension, sothat objectionable rattling or vibration of the parts over rough roadsis f1 avoided.

Another and more specic object of the present invention is to provide animproved lock including in a preferred embodiment a latch mechanismhaving a tongue or latch pusher and latch means operatively mounted iwithin a latch housing for moving in unison relative to the latter andto each other between latching and unlatching positions, the latchpusher being engageable by a striker to be moved thereby from theunlatching to the latching position upon closure of the door or othermember with which the lock is associated, and means being provided forgoverning the movement of the latch mechanism to the uniatchingposition.

Another object is to provide such a lock structure wherein the latchmechanism is continually urged yieldingly to the unlatching position andwherein releasable detent means are provided to hold the latch mechanismin the latching position; and in particular to provide such a lockstructure wherein the latch pusher and latch means rmly engage thestriker therebetween in a spring pressed clamping action when in thelatching position, thereby positively preventing objectionable play orrattling between the interengaged members.

Other objects or this vinvention will appear in the followingdescription and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of this specification wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Details of two embodiments of the present invention are illustrated byway of example in the drawings wherein: l

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the rear end of anautomobile having a hinged rear deck lid and latching mechanism thereforemploying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical median section through thelock structure, taken in the direction ot' the arrows substantiallyalong the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken in the direction of the arrowssubstantially along the broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken in the direction of the arrows alongthe line 5 4 of Fig. 2, showing the latch mechanism in the latchingposition.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the latch members and latchpusher, taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along theline 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken similarly to Fig. 4, butshowing the latch mechanism in the unlatching position.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken in the direction of the arrowssubstantially along the line 7-7 of Fig. 4, showing details of the latchpusher' spring mounting.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 2, showing a modifiedform of the lock constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a section taken in the direction of the arrows substantiallyalong the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, showing the interengagement between thedetent releasing trigger and the operating cam on the inner end of a keyoperated rotatable lock cylinder.

Fig. l0 is a plan elevation of the detent and trigger shown in Fig. 9.

Before explaining the present invention in detail it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement ot parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, the rear portion of an automobile bodyindicated generally by the letter A is shown in Fig. 1. The body A isprovided with a rear trunk accessible by means of a hinged deck lid i2pivotally connected near its upper portion to the body A in accordancewith conventional practice by means not shown.

In the present instance the rear deck lid or hood 12 is formed fromsuitably spaced and reinforced outer and inner sheet metal panels iZaand 12b respectively, Fig, 2. The lower portion or" the panel 12a isformed with an outward channel-like embossment disposed symmetricallywith respect to the midline of the body A and including a horizontallyextending concave upper wall 14a which bends angularly downward andrearward to comprise a flat handle seat 16a. The latter in turnterminates rearwardly in a forwardly declined lower wall 18a ending in arearwardly declined flange 2da.

Similarly, the inner panel 12b is provided with a correspondingunderlying outward embossment of V-section comprising a horizontal waltM'b terminating rearwardly in a vertical depending wall hib. A flange bextends generally horizontally rearward from the base of the wall lobtoward the lower extremity of the channel side 18a and then bendsangularly downward and rearward in a ilange 20!) underlying the ange20a. The latter is provided with an underlapping ange portion 22a whichis formed snugly around the flange 20h, the three tlange portions 26a,Zilla and 22a being preferably secured together as by welding forexample to complete a triple thickness lower edge for the rear deck 12.

Underlying the rear edge of the lid 12 is a transverse raised embossment26 of the body A terminating along its upper edge in a forwardlydeclined marginal thereof.

tiange 28. The iiange 2 is reinforced from below and welded to aparallel flange of a V-type channel bracket having a vertical wall 32depending from the forward edge of the ange 30 and a horizontalrearwardly extending base 34 terminating in a rearwardly declined flange36 which lies ush with and is welded to the adjacent inside wall of thebody A.

Overlying the embossment 26 and extending around the marginal edges ofthe rear deck opening to which it is secured is a bumper or cushionmolding 24 of rubber or rubber-like material against which the marginaledge of the rear deck lid 12 seats in weather proof seal when in theclosed position, Fig. 2. Raising and lowering of the deck lid 12 isfacilitated by means of a handle elcment 3S of conventional constructionsuitably secured by means (not shown) to the seat or platform 165i.

In the present instance a cylinder type key operated lock 46 is mountedwithin the handle 38. A cylindrical extension 42 of the rotatablecylinder of the lock 40 projects through an opening 43 in the platform16a and is suitably secured at its inner end to a detent arm 44 adaptedto swing about the pivot axis of the lock cylinder. ln the lockingposition, Fig. 2, as described hereinafter, the arm 44 declinesrearwardly in parallelism with the handle seat 16a along the midline ofthe body A and is offset inwardly at 46, terminating above the wall 13ain a rearward trigger engaging extension 48 which abuts at right anglesa shoulder 50 of a latch control trigger and detent member. The latter,which may comprise a sheet metal stamping if desired, extends from theupper end of lthe shoulder 50 generally perpendicularly rearward anddownward at 52 through an opening 54 in the wall 18a, terminating in anupward and rearward extending finger piece or lever arm 56, Extendingperpendicularly for ward and upward from the lower end of the shoulder50 is an offset 58 which merges with a at trigger body portion 69 havinga generally horizontal extension 62 terminating in a downward andrearwardly curved hook-like detent 64 a purpose which will be clearhereinafter.

The latch structure for which the detcnt 64 is employed is enclosedwithin a housing comprising in the present instance a sheet metalstamping, including a vertical case plate 66 formed with a pair oflateral ears 68 which are bolted to the inside surface of the wall 16bby a pair of bolts 70.

As shown in Fig. 2, the body of the case plate 66 is spaced from thewall 16h by a flat rearward emboss- -nient 72 which projects from theplane of the plate 66 substantially the thickness of the sheet metalmaterial ing 74 which aligns with a somewhat larger opening 76 in thewall 16h for freely receiving the horizontal trigger extension 62.

On either side and slightly above the einbossment 72, a pivot support orap '78 is lanced from the case piate 66, leaving an opening Si) therein.The paired flaps '78 are formed to extend perpendicularly rearward inverti- Cal planes through the upper portion of the opening 76. Extendingupward from the sides of the trigger body in vertical planes adjacentthe proximal faces of the pivot supports '78, Fig. 3, are a pair ofintegral lateral wings 32, which are pivotally secured to the supports78 by means of a horizontal transverse pivot pin 84'. The pivot pin S4is retained in position by means of an enlarged head 86 adjacent thelateral surface of one of the pivot supports 76 and a retaining pin 88extending diametrically through the other ends of the pin 84 adjacentthe lateral face of the other pivot support 78.

By the structure thus far described, it is apparent that the triggerbody 60 may be pivoted about the axis of the pin S4 after the detent arm44 is pivoted one way or the other about the axis of the cylinder 42 soas to free Vthe trigger shoulder 50 from the trigger engaging extension48. The opening 54 in the embossment wall 18a for the trigger extension52 and the aligned portions of the open- The embossment 72 is providedwith an opcnings '74 and 76 for the trigger extension 62 are dimensionedto permit the desired pivotal movement freely as required to operate thetrigger in the manner described below.

As shown particularly in Fig. 4, the opposite side portions of the caseplate 66 bend perpendicularly forward at 90 below each of the ears 68and at 92 above said ears. The upper and lower edges of the case plate66 bend forward in top and bottom flanges 94 and 96 respectively tocomplete a generally rectangular coverless box-like structure orhousing.

The box-like housing or case plate 66 is covered by a forward coverplate 98, Fig. 2, comprising a sheet metal stamping having rearwardlybent upper and lower flanges 109 and 102 respectively closely overlyingand underlying the upper and lower flanges 94 and 96 respectively of thecase plate 66. The cover plate 98 is also provided with rearwardly bentside flanges 104 which lie inside and closely adjacent the respectivelateral flaps or side portions 90, 92 of the case plate 66.

Extending rearwardly as integral portions of each side flange 104 aretwo retaining tabs 106, which project through slotted openings providedtherefor within the case plate 66 and bend toward each other snuglyagainst the plate 66 to secure the latter to the plate 98. The thicknessof the tabs 106 is approximately equal to the height of the rearwardembossment 72 from the plane of the case plate 66, so that the lattertogether with the four tabs 106 solidly abut the inner surface of theembossrnent wall 16h upon tightening the fastening bolts 70.

Projecting rearwardly into the housing 66, 98, is an annular embossment10S within the cover plate 98, leaving a central pin retaining seat oranchor 110 for the forward reduced end 112 of a pivot pin 114 on whichis mounted a latching mechanism contained within the housing asdescribed below. The pin 114 extends horizontally rearwardly from itsseat 110 and terminates in a reduced rearward end 116 which projectsthrough an opening 118 provided therefor within the case plate 66 at apoint intermediate the pivot supporting wings 78.

As illustrated more particularly in Figs 4 and 6, the latch mechanismwithin the housing 66, 98 includes a vertically movable latch pusher120, which may comprise a sheet metal stamping having a verticalmovement limiting slot 122 therein through which the pivot pin 114projects. The lower end of the slot 122 enlarges into a rectangulardetent receiving opening 124. Laterally of the slot 122 and projectingrearward from the left side of the body of the latch pusher 120 is anintegral flange or lug 1-26. Bent forwardly from the opposite or rightside of the latch pusher 120 at the level of the lug 126 is a similarlug 128. Projecting downward from the body of the latch pusher 121)along the midline thereof is a tongue having chamfered lower corners 131adapted to abut mating portions of a striker described hereinafter. Thetongue 130 is movable freely through aligned openings 132 and 134provided therefor within the aforementioned bottom flanges 96 and 102respectively. Down ward movement of the tongue 139 and integral pusherbody 120 is determined by paired shoulders 135 comprising lateralextensions of the pusher body 120 at the root or base of the tongue 130and adapted to abut the upper surface or" the bottom flange 96 on eitherside of the opening 132 therein, Fig. 6.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 6 and 7, the latch pusher 120 isnormally held at the limit of the aforementioned downward movement bymeans of a spiral torsion spring 136 having paired arms 138 urged byspring tension firmly against the upper housing wall 94. A closed loop14) of the spring 136, having a horizontal end portion 142 seated undertension within a notch or seat 144 provided therefor within the upperend of the body of the latch pusher 120, extends from the spring 136 'inopposition to the spring arms 13S.

Pivotally mounted on the pin 114 in vertical planes rearward and forwardrespectively of the latch pusher are a pair of latch members or dogs 146and 146:1 preferably comprising identical sheet metal stampings. Thedogs 146, 146:1 are provided with pivot holes 148, 148:1 respectivelyadapted to receive the pin 114 and are pivotally mounted on the latterface to face by means of said pivot holes so as to complement each otheron opposite sides of the vertical midline of the latch structure, aswill 'oe apparent below.

The rearward latch dog 146 is provided with an arm 150 which extendsfrom the pivot 114 to the rearwardly turned lug 126 and has a notch 152formed in its extremity into which the lug 126 projects. Below the arm150, the member 146 bellies downward at 154 to provide a forward offsetportion 156 terminating in a vertical detent support 158 lying in theplane of the latch pusher 120 within the opening 124 thereof. Thesupport 158 terminates on the left of the vertical midline through thepivot 114 in a generally vertical detent engaging edge 160.

On the right side of the pivot 114, the body 146 extends downward in anarm 162 at an obtuse angle with respect to the arm 150. The lower end ofthe arm 162 is provided with a latch jaw 164 which projects angularlydownward in a plane parallel to the lower right chamfered edge 131 ofthe tongue 130 when in the latching position as described hereinafter,and also extends perpendicularly forward from the plane of the body 146.A reinforcing web or flange 166 extends laterally from the jaw 164parallel to the plane of the body 146. The jaw 164 and web frange 166project from the latch housing freely through openings 168 and 170provided therefor adjacent the right side of the tongue in the bottomflanges 96 and 102 respectively.

As aforementioned, the forward dog 14611 is identical in construction tothe dog 146, but is reversed with respect thereto on the pivot 114.Accordingly each of the aforementioned elements of the dog 146 iscomplemented by a generally oppositely disposed and correspondinglynumbered element of the dog 146:1, each identifying numeral for latterelements being suflixed by the letter :1. The arm 150:1 of the member146:1 extends to the right of the pivot 114 and is provided with a notch152:1 which receives the forward projecting stud or lug 128. The underportion of the arm 150:1 bellies downward at 154:1 and provides arearward offset portion 156:1 overlying the right side of the opening124 and terminating in a vertical detent support 153:1 lying in theplane of the tongue pusher 120 within the opening 124. The support 158:1terminates mesially in a generally vertical detent engaging edge 166:1opposed to the aforementioned edge 160, the edges 166, 166:1 beingdisposed symmetricaliy on opposite sides of hte vertical midline to thelatch structure.

The arm 162:1 of the body 146:1 extends angularly downward and laterallytoward the left corner of the latch housing and is provided with a latchjaw 164:1 which lies in a plane extending perpendicularly rearward fromthe plane of the member 146:1 and angularly downward generally parallelto the chamfer 131 at the lower left corner of the tongue 130. Areinforcing flange or web 166:1 extends laterally from the jaw 164:1parallel to the body 146:1. Also corresponding to the openings 163 and170, bottom openings 168:1 and 170:1 are provided in the flanges 96 and102 respectively on the left side of the tongue 130 for freely receivingthe jaw 164:1 and reinforcing web 166:1.

The disposition and dimensions of the latch pusher 120, dogs 146, 146:1,and pivot 114 are determined so that when the latch pusher 120 andintegral lugs 126, 128 are moved downward by the spring arm to the limitpermitted by abutment of the shoulders 135 with the lower walls 96, thearms 150, 150:1 will be pivoted downward about the pivot 114 to anunlatching position, Fig. 6, by virtue of their engagement with the lugs126, 128 in the slots 152, 152:1. The arms 162, 162:1 and jaws 164,164:1 will correspondingly be pivoted upward and laterally 6 to anunlatching position. Upon upward movement of the latch pusher 120, thelugs 126, 128 within their corresponding notches 152, 152:1 will raisethe arms 150, 150:1 and thereby pivot the jaws 164, 164:1 downward andmesially about the pivot 114 to a latching position as indicated inFigs. 3 and 4.

In the unlatching position, the opposed detent engaging edges 160, :1are sufficiently close together to prevent insertion therebetween of thedetent loop 64 at the forward extremity of the trigger body 60. When thejaws 164, 164:1 are in the lowered latching position, the detentengaging edges 160, 160:1 are pivotally separated to permit insertion ofthe detent loop 64 therebetween, whereupon return of the latch mechanismto the unlatching position is prevented by engagement of the edges 160,166:1 with the interposed detent 64.

ln order to assure positive automatic actuation of the latch detentmechanism, a trigger operating spring 172 is coiled around the pivot pin84, Fig. 7, and provided with paired tensioned arms 174 which extendupward between the embossment wall 16b and the rearward face of the caseplate 66 and firmly press against the latter. Oppositely to the arms 174, the other end of the coil spring 172 extends rearwardly in a closedloop 176 above the trigger body 60 and is spring pressed thereagainst soas to urge the trigger pivotally clockwise, Fig. 2, about the pin 84.Thus, when the dogs 146, 146:1 are in the unlatching position and theseparation between the edges 160, 160:1 is a minimum, Fig. 6, therounded forward end of the detent loop 64 is pressed by the spring 172against the supports 158, 158:1. When the edges 160, 160:1 are separatedupon movement of the dogs 146, 146:1 to the latching position, Fig. 4,the spring pressed detent loop 64 snaps into the opening 124 between theedges 160, 160:1. Thereafter, until the triggers nger lever 56 is raisedor moved pivotally toward the handle element 38, as described above,return of the latch mechanism to the unlatching position is prevented.

Cooperating with the above described latching structure for locking therear deck 12 closed is a striker means, also preferably comprising asheet metal stamping having a plane body 178 suitably secured to thevertical bracket portion 32 of the body A at a point below the handle 38by means of a pair of bolts 180 extending through a corresponding pairof vertically elongated adjustment openings 182. The plate 178 isprovided with paired forwardly extending inclined striker anges 184, oneof each being disposed to underlie one of each of the lower chamferedcorner edges 131 of the tongue 130 in parallelism therewith. The lowerends of the inclined striker flanges 184 are reinforced by an integralU-ange 186 also projecting forward from the plate 17 8. Extendinglaterally from the upper end of each inclined striker iiange 134 andalso forward from the plate 178 is an integral reinforcing flange 188,within which is provided a latch jaw receiving opening 190, Fig. 4,adapted to receive the corresponding overlying jaw and web structure164, 166 or 164:1, 166:1, as the case may be, when the latch mechanismand striker means are brought into juxtaposition upon closure of therear deck lid 12.

It is apparent from the foregoing that upon closure of the rear deck lid12, the chamfered lower edges 131 of the latch pusher tongue 130 willengage the parallel striker flanges 184 and force the body of the latchpusher 120 upward against the tension of the spring arm 140.Simultaneousiy the latch jaws 164, 1641: will be swung downward aboutthe axis of the pin 114, as described above, through the openings 190provided therefor within the striker anges 11%3. in this position, thelower ends of the jaws 164, 164:1 will underlie the striker flanges 184.

The lateral dimensions of the detent loop 64 andthe disposition of thedetent engaging edges 160, 160:1 are determined with respect to thedisposition and dimensions of the latch jaws 164, 164:1 and the strikerflanges 184, so that as the undersides of the latter are snugly engagedby the jaws 164, 164a, the edges 160, 164m will be separated suicientlyto receive the detent loop 64 at the forward end of the trigger body 6d.Accordingly when the striker anges 184 are firmly engaged andinterlocked with the jaws 164, 16441, the forwardly spring presseddetent 64 will snap into detent position between the opposed edges 160,16051 to prevent their return movement and release of the jaws 164, 164afrom the striker anges 184. The deck lid 12 will thus be securely lockedclosed until release between the interlocked jaws 164, 164a and strikeranges 184 is permitted by tripping the finger operated lever 56 upwardto remove the detent 64 from the opening 124. However upon such anaction, the latch pusher spring arm 140 will force the latch pusher 120and tongue 130 downward, simultaneously swinging the latch jaws 164,164er out of the openings 19t) therefor and clear of theirinterengagement with the striker flanges 184. The downward movement ofthe tongue 130 will of course slightly raise the rear deck 12;,whereupon the latter may be opened in accordance with conventionalpractice by means of the handle element 38.

By virtue of the elongate bolt holes 182, the vertical position of thestriker plate 178 may be suitably adjusted to assure a tightinterlocking connection between the latch structure and striker means,whereby the striker flanges 184 are tightly clamped between thechamfered edges 131 of the tongue 130 and the jaws 164, 164s. Thusundesirable rattling or movement between the interlocking elements isavoided when the automobile is driven over rough roads.

It is also to be noted that by means of the detent arm 48 rotatable withthe cylinder 42 and adapted to abut the trigger shoulder S so as toprevent counterclockwise pivoting thereof to the latch releasingposition, the trigger lever 56 may be locked in the detent positionuntil the proper key is inserted into the cylinder lock 40 to rotate thecylinder 42 suiciently to disengage the detent arm 48 from the abuttedtrigger shoulder 5t).

Figs. 8, 9 and l0 show a modification oi the latch mechanism wherein thegeneral operation and construction of the latching and striker means arethe same as above described. The only significant difference betweenthis construction and that described above is that the trigger means isentirely confined within the embossment provided in the outer deck lidpanel 12a for the deck lid handle element. In this instance, the handleelement 38a shown is of slightly ditferent design than theaforementioned handle 38, but is provided for the same purpose ofraising or lowering the rear deck lid 12. A cylinder type lock 40a issuitably mounted within the handle 38a and is provided with an eccentriccam extension 42a projecting forward as an integral structure of therotatable lock cylinder.

Extending upward and forward from the trigger body 60 in a verticalplane is an integral extension or flange 192, bent at its upper end at194 to overlie the projecting cam portion 42:1 and to be engaged by thelatter upon rotation of the lock cylinder, Figs. 9 and l0. rl`hus uponinser tion of a proper key 196 to rotate the lock cylindercounterclockwise as indicated in Fig. 9, the cam element 42aL willengage the overhang 194 and tilt the trigger body 69 counterclockwiseabout the pivot S4 in a latch releasing operation substantially asdescribed above. By this construction the rear deck lid will always belocked when in the closed position and can only be opened by means ofthe proper cylinder lock key.

I claim:

l. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members pivoted on the support and having a common pivot axis, apusher shiftable radially with respect to said axis in one direction orthe opposite and extending therefrom in said one direction forengagement with a striker to be shifted thereby, said latch membershaving opposed keeper engaging portions extending generally in said onedirection from opposite sides of said axis and also having opposeddetent engaging portions extending generally in said one direction fromopposite sides of said axis and also having pusher engaging portionsextending generally at right angles t0 said direction at opposite sidesof said axis, each latch member having its pusher engaging portion anddetent engaging portion at one side of said axis and its keeper engagingportion at the opposite side, thereby to cause the opposed keeperengaging portions to swing from and toward each other and the opposeddetent engaging portions to swing toward and from each other in unisonwith swinging of said pusher engaging portions in said one direction orthe opposite respectively, said pusher having portions engageable withsaid pusher engaging portions to swing the same generally in thedirection of shifting of said pusher, spring means yieldingly urgingsaid pusher in said one direction, detent means shiftable 'between saidopposed detent engaging portions to block swinging thereof toward eachother, and means for shifting said detent means 1from between saiddetent engaging portions.

2. ln a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members pivoted on the support and having a common pivot axis, apusher shiftable radially with respect to said axis in one direction orthe opposite and extending therefrom in said one direction forengagement with a striker to be shifted thereby, said latch membershaving opposed keeper engaging portions extending generally in said onedirection from opposite sides of said axis and also having opposeddetent engaging portions extending generally in said one direction fromopposite sides of said axis and also having pusher engaging portionsextending generally at right angles to said direction at opposite sidesof said axis, each latch member having its pusher engaging portion anddetent engaging portion at one side of said axis and its keeper engagingportion at the opposite side, thereby to cause the opposed keeperengaging portions to swing from and toward each other and the opposeddetent engaging portions to swing toward and from each other in unisonwith swinging of said pusher engaging portions in said one direction orthe opposite respectively, said pusher having portions engageable withsaid pusher engaging portions to swing the same generally in thedirection of shifting of said pusher, a swinging detent having a pivotaxis at right angles to said first named axis and pivoted on saidsupport to swing into detent position between said opposed detentengaging portions to block swinging of the latter toward each other, andmeans for swinging said detent from the detent position comprising afinger actuated extension of said detent projecting from said closurefor finger engagement.

3. ln a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members pivoted on the support and having a common pivot axis, apusher shiftable radially with respect to said axis in one direction orthe op` posite and extending therefrom in said one direction forengagement with a striker to be shifted thereby, said latch membershaving opposed keeper engaging portions extending generally in said onedirection from opposite sides of said axis and also having opposeddetent engaging portions extending generally in said one direction fromopposite sides of said axis and also having pusher engaging portionsextending generally at right angles to said direction at opposite sidesof said axis, each latch member having its pusher engaging portion anddetent engaging portion at one side of said axis and its keeper engagingportion at the opposite side, thereby to cause the opposed keeperengaging portions t0 swing from and toward each other and the opposeddetent engaging portions to swing toward and from each other in unisonwith swinging of said pusher engaging portions in said one direction orthe opposite respectively, said pusher having portions engageable withsaid pusher engaging portions to swing the same generally in thedirection of shifting of said pusher, spring means yieldingly urgingsaid` pusher in said one direction, a swinging detent having a pivotaxis at right angles to said first named axis and pivoted on saidsupport to swing into detent position between said opposed detentengaging portions to block swinging thereof toward each other, springmeans yieldingly urging said detent to the detent position, means forswinging said detent from the detent position comprising a finger'actuated extension of said detent projecting from said closure for ngerengagement, and key operated means engageable with said detent at thedetent position to block swinging thereof.

4. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members pivoted on the support and having a common pivot axis, apusher shiftable radially with respect to said axis in one direction orthe opposite and extending therefrom in said one direction forengagement with a striker to be shifted thereby, said latch membershaving opposed keeper engaging portions extending generally in said onedirection from opposite sides of said axis and also having opposeddetent engaging portions extending generally in said one direction fromopposite sides of said axis and also having pusher engaging portionsextending generally at right angles to said direction at opposite sidesof said axis, each latch member having its pusher engaging portion anddetent engaging portion at one side of said axis and its keeper engagingportion at the opposite side, thereby to cause the opposed keeperengaging portions to swing from and toward each other and the opposeddetent engaging portions to swing toward and from each other in unisonwith swinging of said pusher engaging portions in said one direction orthe opposite respectively, said pusher having portions engageable withsaid pusher engaging portions to swing the same generally in thedirection of shifting of said pusher, a swinging detent having a pivotaxis at right angles to said first named axis and pivoted on saidsupport to swing into detent position between said opposed detentengaging portions to block swinging thereof toward each other, and keyoperated means engageable with said detent to swing the same from thedetent position.

5. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging portions and pivoted on the supportfor swinging about a common axis to and from a keeper engaging position,said members having opposed detent engaging portions arranged to swingtoward each other upon swinging of said members from the keeper engagingposition, a swinging detent having a pivot axis at right angles to saidiirst named axis and pivoted on said support to swing into blockingposition between said opposed detent engaging portions to block swingingthereof toward each other, spring means yieldingly urging said detent tothe blocking position, means for swinging said detent from the blockingposition, and a shiftable pusher mounted on the support for shifting inone direction by engagement with a striker and having portionsengageable with said m-embers to swing the same to the keeper engagingposition upon said shifting in said one direction.

6. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging portions and pivoted on the supportfor swinging about a common axis to and from a keeper engaging position,said members having opposed detent engaging portions arranged to swingtoward each other upon Swinging of said members from the keeper engagingposition, a swinging detent having a pivot axis at right angles to saidtirstj named axis and pivoted on said support to swing into blockingposition between said opposed detent engaging portions to block swingingthereof toward each other, spring means yieldingly urging said detent tothe blocking position, key operated means engageable with an extensionof said detent to swing the latter from the blocking position, and ashiftable pusher mounted on the support for shifting in one direction byengagement with a striker and having portions engageable with saidmembers to swing the same to the keeper engaging position upon saidshifting in said one direction.

7. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging positions and pivoted on thesupport for swinging about a common axis to and from a keeper engagingposition, said members having opposed detent engaging portions arrangedto swing toward each other upon swinging of said members from the keeperengaging position, a swinging detent having a pivot axis at right anglesto said first named axis and pivoted on said support to swing intoblocking position between said opposed detent engaging portions to blockswinging thereof toward each other, spring means yieldingly urging saiddetent to the blocking position, means for swinging said detent from theblocking position including a finger actuated extension of said detentprojecting fromsaid support for finger engagement, key operated meansengageable with said detent at the blocking position to block swingingthereof, and a shiftable pusher mounted on the support for shifting inone direction by engagement with a striker and having portionsengageable with said members to swing the same to the keeper engagingposition upon said shifting in said one direction.

8. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging portions and pivoted on the supportfor swinging parallel to a common plane to and from a keeper engagingposition, said members having opposed detent engaging por- .tionsarranged to swing toward each other upon swinging of said members fromthe keeper engaging position, a detent pivoted on said support to swingperpendicularly to said plane into blocking position between saidopposed detent engaging portions to block swinging thereof toward eachother, means for swinging said detent from the blocking position, and ashiftable pusher mounted on the support for shifting in one direction byengagement with a striker and having portions engageable with saidmembers to swing the same to the keeper engaging position upon saidshifting in said one direction.

9. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging portions and pivoted on the supportfor swinging parallel to a common plane to and from a keeper engagingposition, said members having opposed detent engaging portions arrangedto swing toward each other upon swinging of said members from the keeperengaging position, a detent pivoted on said support to swingperpendicularly to said plane into blocking position between saidopposed detent engaging portions to block swinging thereof toward eachother, key operated means engageable with an extension of said detent toswing the latter from the blocking position, and a shiftable pushermounted on the support for shifting in one direction by engagement witha striker and having portions engageable with said members to swing thesame to the keeper engaging position upon said shifting in said onedirection.

l0. In a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging portions and pivoted on the supportfor swinging parallel to a common plane to and from a keeper engagingposition, said members having opposed detent engaging portions arrangedto swing toward each other upon swinging of said members from the keeperengaging position, a detent pivoted on said support to swingperpendicularly to said plane into blocking position between saidopposed detent engaging portions to block swinging thereof toward eachother, means for swinging said detent from the blocking positionincluding a nger actuated extension of said detent projecting from saidsupport for finger engagement, key operated means engageable with saiddetent at the blocking position to block swinging thereof, and ashiftable pusher mounted on the support for shifting in one direction byengagement with a striker and having portions engageable with saidmembers to swing the Same to the keeper engaging position upon saidshifting in said one direction.

11. ln a latch mechanism for a swinging closure, a support, a pair oflatch members having keeper engaging portions and pivoted on the supportfor swinging parallel to a common plane to and from a keeper engagingposition, said members having opposed detent engaging p0rtions arrangedto swing toward each other upon swinging of said members from the keeperengaging position, a detent pivoted on said support to swingperpendicularly to said plane into blocking position between saidopposed detent engaging portions to block swinging thereof toward eachother, spring means yieidingly urging said detcnt to the blockingposition, means for swinging said detent from the blocking positionincluding a finger actuated extension of said detent projecting fromsaid support for finger engagement, key operated means cngageable withsaid detent at the blocking position to Cil References Cited in the leof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 689,074 Ferris Dec. 17, 19011,143,653 Smith June 22, 1915 2,224,671 Crooks et al. Dec. 10, 1940FOREIGN PATENTS 42,177 France Mar. 3, 1933 84,928 Austria July 25, 1921

